Cutting Edge: Spontaneous Development of IL-17–Producing γδ T Cells in the Thymus Occurs via a TGF-β1–Dependent Mechanism

In naive animals, γδ T cells are innate sources of IL-17, a potent proinflammatory cytokine mediating bacterial clearance as well as autoimmunity. However, mechanisms underlying the generation of these cells in vivo remain unclear. In this study, we show that TGF-β1 plays a key role in the generatio...

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Published in:The Journal of immunology (1950) 2010-02, Vol.184 (4), p.1675-1679
Main Authors: Do, Jeong-su, Fink, Pamela J., Li, Lily, Spolski, Rosanne, Robinson, Janet, Leonard, Warren J., Letterio, John J., Min, Booki
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:In naive animals, γδ T cells are innate sources of IL-17, a potent proinflammatory cytokine mediating bacterial clearance as well as autoimmunity. However, mechanisms underlying the generation of these cells in vivo remain unclear. In this study, we show that TGF-β1 plays a key role in the generation of IL-17+ γδ T cells and that it mainly occurs in the thymus particularly during the postnatal period. Interestingly, IL-17+ γδ TCR+ thymocytes were mainly CD44highCD25low cells, which seem to derive from double-negative 4 γδ TCR+ cells that acquired CD44 and IL-17 expression. Our findings identify a novel developmental pathway during which IL-17–competent γδ T cells arise in the thymus by a TGF-β1–dependent mechanism.
ISSN:0022-1767
1550-6606
DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.0903539